Adhesive-type oxygen mask



Jan. 19, 1960 J. J SWEARINGEN ETAL 2,921,581

ADHESIVE-TYPE OXYGEN MASK Original Filed Oct. 21, 1955 2 Sheets-$heet 1INVENTOR imesffl. Mf'adde BY m V fi I 47 TOR/YE) Jan. 19, 1960 J. J-SWEARINGEN ETAL 2,921,581

ADHESIVE-TYPE OXYGEN MASK Original Filed Oct. 21, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2ATTORNEY I 1Q nee/v7 United States ADHESIVE-TYPE OXYGEN MASK John J.Swearingen and Ernest B. McFadden, Columbus, Ohio, assignors to theUnited States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce 4Claims. (Cl. 128-146) This invention relates to breathing apparatus andespecially contemplates an oxygen mask assembly in which the mask isautomatically presented for use when deviations from specifiedatmospheric conditions occur. The present invention, is a division ofapplicants copending application, Serial No. 542,115, filed on October21, 1955 now Patent No. 2,809,633 of October 15, 1957.

With the advent of pressurized cabins in commercial aviation consequentto the desire to attain greater speeds and flight altitudes, it hasbecome imperative to devise safety measures and equipment to insure thewell being of the passenger in the event of cabin pressure failures.

At altitudes in excess of 10,000 feet, the oxygen content of the airbecomes sufficiently low so as to affect the physiological processes ofthe human body in a detrimental manner as is well known. Therefore, inthe event of a pressure failure at high altitudes, it is imperative toquickly make oxygen available to the passengers. Existing emergencyoxygen equipment is relatively bulky, expensive and requires a certainamount of instruction for proper use. Moreover, since such apparatuscannot be readily concealed, it presents a somewhat formidableappearance to the average passenger, a condition which is clearly notconducive to relaxation while traveling.

The oxygen apparatus comprising the present invention has therefore beendevised to provide a cheap, lightweight disposable mask which isnormally contained in a small unobtrusive container adapted to be easilymounted inconspicuously adjacent each passenger. The housing orcontainer includes a mechanism for automatically releasing the mask whena pressure drop of predetermined magnitude is detected and presentingthe mask to the passenger in a manner that is extremely simple andeflective. The mask is made of a simple cloth-like, molded rubber orplastic material which can readily be disposed of after use. Themaintenance of a mask for each passenger on a plane therefore isextremely economical and practicable.

The development of such device therefore provides a safety standard onthe basis of which emergency equipment can be prescribed for commercialaviation by regulatory agencies such as the CAB.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an oxygen maskand presentation device which is automatic in operation, economical andsufiiciently compact to make practicable its adaptation to commercialairline use. 7

A further object is to provide an oxygen mask having securing meanswhich adapts it to be secured to the face of the user with a minimum ofskill and eifort.

An additional object of. this invention is to provide an oxygen maskwhich possesses radial symmetry so as to conform to the contour of theusers faces and obviates the need of observing physical congruence whenapplying.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an oxygen maskassembly, in which the mask is normally safely concealed in aninconspicuous receptacle and in which means are provided forautomatically releasing the atent O container and presenting the maskfor application to the user when a pressure drop in the surroundingatmosphere is detected.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lowcost, disposableoxygen mask having adhesive-like securing means, and in which the meansfor protecting the adhesive surface is automatically removed uponpresentation of the mask.

Other uses and advantages of the invention will become apparent uponreference to the specification and drawings.

Fig. 1 is a pictorial representation of the oxygen mask in accordancewith the present invention in use and applied to the face of the user;

Fig. 2A is an isometric view of the interior of the maskcontainershowing the mask presentation mechanism in cocked position;

Fig. 2B is a view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2Aillustrating the position of the operative elements at the start ofrelease;

Fig. 3 represents the mechanism of Fig. 2A showing the position of theoperative elements when fully released, the mask being in its finalposition of presentation;

Fig. 4 is a partialsectional view of a portion of the release mechanism,and

Figs. 5A and 5B are detailed views of the oxygen mask construction inaccordance with the invention.

The mask The construction of the mask portion of the apparatus isdetailed in Figs. 5A and 5B. The mask 20 may be made of elastic cloth,thin rubber, or plastic and is preferably formedin the shape of afrustum of a right circular cone. It has been determined that acone-like body having a large diameter of about 4 /2", 21 small diameter7 of approximately 1%" and a height of approximately 1 /4" allowsperfect and comfortable fitting of different facial contours of bothchildren and adults when applied over the nose and mouth. The cone-likeshape described results in the mask possessing radial symmetry andeliminates the need for aligning the mask with the face before applying.

As shown in Fig. SE, a portion of the inner surface of the fabric cone21 is provided with a thin rubber or pliable plastic lining 22 which issuitably cemented to the fabric body. When the cone portion isfabricated out of thin rubber or other plastic material it is preferablymade in varying thicknesses, the base of the cone being made thin andflexible so as to be adaptable to the contours of persons faces, theupper portion of the cone being of greater thickness to providesufficient body to the cone. The center of the cone is provided with anorifice in which a hollow grommet 23 is secured. The grommet provides ananchor for the end of an air hose 26 connected to the oxygen supply linein the plane. The remaining peripheral surface on the inside face of thecone is coated with a tacky adhesive-like material 24 such asElastopl-ast.

A protective cover strip 25 is applied over the tacky portion as isconventional. As is apparent in Figs. 5A and SE, a tab 21a is formedintegral with the cone, and a separate peeling tab 25a is provided onthe protecting cover for a purpose to be described.

Since failure of the pressurizing apparatus in a plane is oftenincidental to failure of other power equipment, either the mask body 21,or the liner 22 may be impregnated or otherwise treated to exhibitfluorescent properties. For example, the use of a substance such as COL-O-VIN as the lining-material 22 not only provides the necessary degreeof flexibility but is sutficiently fluorescent to enable the mask to bemanipulated in thedark.

Container and release mechanism As indicated in Fig. 3, the oxygen maskcontainer assembly according-to thepresent invention comprises coverplate 1, a base plate 2, and a removable cylindrical closure 3. The baseplate includes studs 16 (Fig. 2A).which'fit into bayonet-type slots 16a(Fig. 3) in the cover plate tosecure theacovertonthe-base. The housingcontains the previously described oxygen mask together'with-a portion ofthe-oxygen supply hose and the= automatic pressure responsive. releasemechanism which-automatically. opens: the .closure 3 and projectsthe'mask for immediate use according to the position shown in Fig. 3.

The interiorof thehousing, with the coverplate 1 removed is more clearlyillustrated as shown in Fig. 2A. The presentation mechanism is shown inits normal cocked-position ready to be triggered by a pressure change.The cylindrical closure 3 is shown in open position for. purposesofrclarity. lt 'is tobe understood that such closure is normallybandedaround the baseplate to form an annular protective wall for the'interiormechanism.

Referring -to Fig; 2A there i is shown aperipheral anchoring block 4which is rigidly-secured or maybe formed integral with the base plate2}The closure member 3 comprisesia. thin bandof spring-like material, theends of which are suitably upset as indicated at 3a and 3b to provide-afriction'joint. Theend portion 3b' is adapted to snugly fit within thepocket portiondefined by the'end 3a when itheclqsure '3' iswrappedsnugly around the periphery of thehousing. The base plate' 'Zissuitably ma chined to provide an annular shoulder or ledge 2a extendingperipherally around the circumference of the base-plate. The coverplatel is similarly shaped, and it will be apparent that such shoulderportions provide a seat for snugly'accomrnodating the-closure member 3.

The-center portion of the closure 3-is secured to the anchoring-block 4by means of suitable fasteners 3 in a manner such that the closure willassume theapproximate position indicated in Fig. as will be described.

A triple-leaf volute spring'mask presentation" member 6 is rigidlyfastened to the inner surface of the anchoring block bymeansof-fasteners 5a; The-presentation member 6 when untensioned'extendsapproximately tangentially outwardly from the housing as indicatedinPig. 3. The end of the presentation memberis provided with an offsetledge 6a to which the oxygen-mask'is partially secured by means of-a'light adhesive orother readily dis-v connectable securing means.The-previously described tab 21a on the mask shownin-Figs; 5A and 5Bprovides a convenientmounting means for such purpose; The mask20occupies the interiorof-the housing and is normally folded to-lieon'the base plate 2 as shownin Fig. 2A; The presentation member 6 isfurther provided with a catch 7 (Figs. 2A and 3) in the form of'anabutment having a recess (not shown) adapted to seat'over a restrainingpinS; The pin 8 forms part of aboss 9secured to the base plate; When thepresentation member 6 is retracted within the housing as shown in Fig.2A, it'

assumes the volute form shown, and is firmly retained in the housingbythe engagement between the catch 7' and restraining pin' 8:

A-trigger finger 10 'is provided in order to release the presentationmember 6. The trigger finger is shown in Fig. 2A as being pivotallymounted on thebase plate 2 by means of a'pin 10a. One end -ofthe triggeris provided with a nose 10b adapted to engage against a surfaceofthepresentation member 6: The other end of the trigger finger 10 isengaged by a trigger spring 11. For convenience, the trigger spring maybe in the form of a leafspring, one'end of which ,is fastened to theanchoring-block'4: The spring is shown in'a tensioned condition bearingagainst-the end of the trigger finger 10. Whentheaapparatusnisqin'the,cocked;position illustrated in Fig. 2A, thetrigger finger. 10 is,held..against 2A, when it is released the forceexerted by spring 11 by means of a sear 12.

The sear 12 extends through an opening 12a formed in The.pressure'sensing means comprisesa conventional aneroid element 13whichis fastened to'the baseplate 2 by means of a fastener-13a-(Fig. 4).Anoperating crank 14 is mounted on a rocker 14a which is pivotallymounted on the base plate 2-by a pintle 14b. One end of the operatingcrank 14 is'disposed in alignment with the aneroid element, while theremote end of the crank extends downwardly through an opening inthe baseplate as is more clearly shown in Fig. 4 and abuts the sear leaf spring12b. It will be apparent from such described construction that expansionand contraction of the aneroid 13 will be reflected as a rockingmovement of the crank 14 about the pintle 14b with consequent displacingof the'sear 12.

Operation The release mechanism is normally in cocked position withinthe housing as shown in Fig.- 2A. The mask 20 is neatly and compactlyfolded so as to be within the receptacle as shown in-Fig. 2A. The hoseportion 26 extends out through the opening 15 in the base plate 2. Withthe flexible closure 3 and the cover plate 1 in place, the entireassembly has-a relatively fiat cylindrical appearance as indicated bythe receptacle portion of the assembly shown'in Fig. 3. The unit maytherefore be conveniently mounted on a portion of the seat occupied bythe passenger won the bulkhead adjacent the seat. In any event the unitoccupies verylittle room and is quite inconspicuous. The outwardlyextending hose may be connected to the oxygen supply main of the planeor vehicle.

The tab 21a forming part of the cone portion of the mask 20 is suitablyfastened to the ledge 6a on the presentationmember 6;. The tab may beadhesively joined to the ledge or may be otherwise tacked on so as to bereadily removable therefrom. Alternately a spring clip fastener-or anysuitable securing means may be employed, The tab forming part of theprotective. cover for the adhesive surface 21 is engaged to be grippedby the jaws of the alligator clip 17.

The aneroid member 13 will tend to contract toward the base plate uponincrease of the ambient or atmospheric pressure and to expand awaytherefrom when the atmospheric pressure decreases. The connecting arm 14is cooperatively related with the aneroid 13 and the sear 12 asdescribed. Hence, when the aneroid member is extended a predeterminedamount consequent to a pressure drop as would be occasioned by a failurein the pressurizing system of the plane or vehicle or a voluntarydumping of pressure due to smoke or toxic gases, the pivoting of themember 14 will retract the sear pin and undog the restrained end of thetrigger finger. The trigger will then be abruptly rotated by the triggerspring 11 and the nose portion 10b will force the catch 7 fromengagement with the restraining pin 8. The position assumedby thetrigger finger 10, andthe endof the presentation member 6 isdiagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 2B which shows catch.7 just afterit is disengaged from the pin 8. Since the presentation member 6 is nolonger constrained its unsecured end will fly outwardly, disengaging thefrictionally held ends of the closure 3a and the mechanism will assumethe position illustrated in Fig. 3. It will be apparent, that in suchfinal position of presentment, the mask 20 is extended in a positionmost appropriate to removal by the user. As the mask 20 is jerkedoutwardly from the container by the spring action of the presentationmember 6 the peeling tab 25a will be firmly held in the alligator clipand hence, the protective covering 25 will be automatically stripped,exposing the tacky or adhesive surface 24. The mask is thus renderedready for use. The user merely removes the mask from the presentationmember and applies it to his face in the manner indicated in Fig. l. Theadhesive surface provides an efiicient anchoring means and seal, whilethe flexible construction and shape of the mask as described adapts itto various facial contours.

While an exemplary embodiment of the principles underlying the presentinvention has been shown and described it will be apparent that theinvention is susceptible of many construction variations. The mask asdescribed is constructed of elasticized gauze to which a rubber liningis applied. It is entirely feasible, however, to form the mask out of amolded rubber or pliable plastic composition. Moreover, the rubberlining may be applied to the fabric body by spraying, dipping, or otherconventional methods. It is therefore not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. For use in a respiratory apparatus having a normal- 1y closedcontainer which is automatically opened at a predetermined pressure andhaving an extendable mask presentation member and an anchoring means, abreathing mask comprising a body portion of substantially frustroconicalshape and made of pliable material having elastic properties such thatit may be stored in said container in flattened condition; the largediameter of said body portion being of a size sufiicient to cover thenasal and oral portions of the face and being deformable to the contoursthereof, means for securing said mask to the face comprising a surfaceof tacky, adhesive-like material provided on the inner marginal area ofsaid body portion adjacent the large diameter and a peelable protectingstrip in said surface having a peeling tab secured to said anchoringmeans and adapted to be stripped to ready the mask for application andmeans for detachably securing said body portion to said presentationmember.

2. The invention of claim 1 in which the small diameter of said cone isterminated in a. conduit adapted to be coupled to an oxygen source.

3. The invention of claim 1 in which said body portion compriseselastic-cloth material, the interior surface of said body portion beinglined with a thin, pliable elastic material.

4. The invention of claim 1 in which a fluorescent material isincorporated in the mask,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,247,925 Sebrell July 1, 1941 2,431,169 Dice Nov. 18, 1947 2,730,720Saunders .Ian. 17, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 636,117 Germany Oct. 2, 1936

